One man’s treasures — Salix collector takes pride in collectibles

The old fashioned booth from England caught his eye, as many of his possessions do.

That’s how Gary Wingard of Salix first became an avid collector.

Now, the owner of a vehicle custom paint shop has the whole second floor of his shop building filled with collectibles.

He stresses he doesn’t collect just everything, they first have to appeal to him and second, have a tie in with automobiles or engines.

Wingard doesn’t really have limit as to what he collects. His assortment of pedal cars is lined up from one end of the room to the other.

“I like to get the pedal cars no matter what shape they are in, take them home and paint them. I know people who are true collectors say I ruin them by refinishing them, but I like the way they look after I’m done.”

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He finds his treasures often at the Carlisle Auto Auction, flea markets and house sales. Wingard has also been known to dabble on eBay, but he says he often receives the best pieces from his customers.

“People know I collect things and they will bring it in and ask if I want it because they have no use for it. I really have the best customers you could possibly have.”

Along another wall — in what could only be described as a small museum — are his motorcycles, “all in running condition and all drivable.”

In the back area are his sleds stacked neatly on shelving made especially for them. Perhaps one of his most unique sleds is one that is all wood construction complete with wooden runners that are steerable. “I would say it’s from the ’20s or ’30s.”

An unusual piece that Wingard is proud of is the Art Linkletter Surrey from the 1950s. The history of the piece dates to the television personality Linkletter, who Wingard says was an avid golfer. “It was made before golf carts for two people, younger people,” hence its small size. “He used to promote them on his program. It was made by Gym-Dandy.”

Surrounding the display of things with wheels and engines are stand up cutouts of famous NASCAR Auto Racers. Wingard said he received most of these from stores that had them as part of their advertising display and now want to get rid of them. “I still every now and then get a phone call to come pick one up instead of them throwing it away.”

When asked what his most prized possession would be, Wingard gave all the items a once over and walked back to a bulk oil filling station that was once in his dad’s garage.

“You used to buy oil in bulk for 15 cents,” he explained. “You would bring in one of those bottles,” he said pointing to glass bottles in a crate on a shelf, “and fill it up.”

“We would buy the oil in drums and every week we would have to check this out to make sure it was filled. We also had one for kerosene that was used for heating and stoves. I think that is most interesting thing to me.”

Wingard does not sell any of the items he collects. “When I buy, I buy to keep.” He is selective about obtaining items that claim to be collectibles.

“I don’t collect Hot Wheels Cars because they have too many varieties of the same car. They are just not realistic like they used to be.”

He has a large collection of Muscle Machines, a line of metal cards that were once sold at Wal-Mart. “They were true to life but they were bought out by another company. I am only missing 11 cars out of 2,200.”

Memorabilia from one of his favorite NASCAR drivers, Rusty Wallace, who retired two years ago, is neatly placed on exhibit in his room. “I even have his shoes, which I bought off of a guy up in the Poconos and I have the trunk lid off of his car.”

Wingard has started to collect lunch boxes recently and has a number of them already in his possession, “but only ones that are automobile related.”

With his full-time job, how much time does Wingard get to spend with his collectibles?

“I like to go up at least once a day. I did have everything downstairs but it just grew out of hand, so I turned my former parts room into the display room.”

Wingard hopes to someday contact Richard Burkett at the Johnstown Heritage Flood Museum to see what he thinks of some of the items he has collected. He also wants to start writing down the history or stories that go with each piece. Right now, he has been busy documenting each item for his insurance policy, which he says has been a chore in itself.

Wingard welcomes people to stop in to see his private collection, though it has to be buy appointment only and is located in an upstairs room that is not handicapped accessible.

To make appointments or for more information, call Wingard at 487-5028.